Ted Tsetta, who was removed as chief of Ndilo by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation in 2012, applied to the Federal Court to have the decision overturned. The court ruled in his favour, ordering the Yellowknives Dene to pay just over a year of salary and benefits and his legal costs. (CBC)

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Tsetta alleged corruption and mismanagement of band funds and the funds of band subsidiary Det'onCho Corporation.

The band said that by sending the letter, Tsetta was acting unilaterally and was risking the reputation of the First Nation.

In its ruling, the court says the band acted beyond its power when it fired Tsetta and that the councillors' reasons for doing so were "insufficient."

The court ordered the band to pay Tsetta just over a year of salary and benefits and his legal costs. There is no word yet on how much that could be.